Girardi: "I didn't really care for it"

That wasn't a reference to Freddy Garcia's 1 2/3-inning outing, though it certainly could have been.

No, after addressing Garcia's horrid outing and other aspects of Tuesday night's loss to the Red Sox, Girardi was asked about David Ortiz.

Hector Noesi got through a scoreless fourth before allowing David Ortiz's two-run homer in the fifth that gave Boston a 6-1 lead. He admired the shot, which was fairly prodigious, dramatically flipping his bat and taking his time exiting the batter’s box, drawing some Yankees’ ire in doing so.

“I didn’t really care for it,” Girardi said. "I dont know if he was upset that he missed some pitches earlier. You know, I have a young kid on the mound, I didn't know if he was upset that he [Noesi] came in hard on him. But of course when it happens to you, you're going to defend your guy and when it happens against...if it's our guy i'm going to say there was nothing intentional about it so..."

Girardi said later: "David's always played the game hard. I've never had a problem with David Ortiz. this guy's been a clutch player for a long time. my reaction's probably more protecting our young kid. and that's what I'm going to do."

Nick Swisher said he was "chasing the ball so I didn't see it," nor did he sound concerned.

Russell Martin had a much better view, saying the act "kind of rubbed it in our face."

"I've seen him do it to other teams," Martin said. "I like it better when he's doing it to other teams."

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